May 07, 2021 8 min read

Delta 8 THC Carts are still a relatively new hemp commodity, but they have plenty of advantages over other D8 dosing methods. They’re easy to use, even for beginners, and you can find a variety of different formulas to meet your needs.

What’s not quite so easy is navigating the turbulent hemp market to find Delta 8 Carts that are well-made and effective, especially at the local level. Regulations vary greatly from place to place, and the market is saturated with questionable formulas.

Alas, you can quit scouring the internet for “Delta 8 THC carts near me.” This handy guide covers everything you need to know: Where to buy Delta 8 THC carts online (safely), which D8 formula to choose, and how to get the most out of your Delta 8 vape experience.

If you're ready to skip straight to buying superior quality Delta-8 vapes, check out our Elev8 Collection

Table of Contents
What are Delta 8 THC Carts?
Not All Delta 8 THC Carts are Made Equally
Comparing Delta 8 THC Vape Formulas
Delta 8 Vape Cart Potency
What Kind of Battery Do I Need?
Are Delta 8 THC Carts Legal to Buy?
Where to Buy Delta-8-THC Carts

Key Takeaways

  • Delta-8-THC carts, or vape cartridges, are a unique, fast-acting dosing method that are useful for beginners and advanced users alike.
  • Cartridges are often a cost-effective, convenient dosing option because they are highly concentrated and designed for use with a rechargeable battery.
  • Most importantly, Delta-8-THC vape carts are legal in most areas, including many where traditional THC products are out of reach.

Two vape carts filled with golden, terpene-infused Delta-8-THC concentrate.

What are Delta 8 THC Carts?

Delta-8-THC carts are pre-filled cartridges that fit on the end of a rechargeable vape battery. These vape carts are usually filled with around 1 gram of Delta-8-THC concentrate, a hemp isomer known for its mild intoxicating effects.

Vaping Delta-8-THC has unique benefits compared to other dosing methods, like fast acting effects and the convenience of incremental, “stackable” dosing. Because they take effect almost instantly, therapeutic users often choose vaping as a “regular maintenance” product.

Curious about Delta-8’s therapeutic benefits? Read “Delta-8-THC Health Benefits” to learn more.

Will Delta 8 THC Carts Get You High?

As we mentioned, Delta-8 is mildly intoxicating, meaning it has psychoactive effects similar to Delta-9-THC (the main psychoactive cannabinoid found in cannabis). In short, yes, Delta-8 will get you high.

Still, the effects are quite different from what you may expect from traditional THC products.

Delta-8’s effects are milder than Delta-9’s, and the effects are generally described as “relaxing” but not sedating. Many people also find it easier to control the psychoactive experience and report less heady effects and more body euphoria when using Delta-8.

To learn more about these psychoactive effects, read “Delta-8-THC Effects.”

Are Delta 8 THC Carts Safe?

There's been plenty of speculation about whether vape carts are safe in general. (Note that smoking or vaping anything carries risk, and vaping or smoking Delta-8 may not be the best choice for someone who suffers from respiratory illnesses or otherwise has difficulty breathing. If you’re worried about the safety of vaping Delta-8, talk with your doctor first.)

Some research outright compares the effects of smoking and vaping and suggests that vaping can also be detrimental to lung health, but there’s a catch. Most negative claims involve nicotine vapes and other products used to replace cigarettes, which are often laden with harsh chemicals.

In general, Delta-8-THC vapes that are made with high-quality ingredients may not pose the same level of risk. The key to Delta-8 safety is buying a high-quality product that’s professionally formulated with premium ingredients.

Not All Delta 8 Carts Are Made Equally

In addition to negative reports about the harms of nicotine vapes, there has also been some negative press surrounding cannabis vaporizers in the past. Ultimately, these isolated instances were linked to poor formulation.

For instance, cannabis vaporizers containing synthetic cannabinoids have been linked to serious adverse reactions. In almost all cases, synthetic cannabinoids (like K2 or Spice) are illegal and considered to be unsafe, except for some FDA approved pharmaceuticals.

Luckily, Delta-8-THC doesn’t meet the description for a “synthetic cannabinoid” and doesn’t pose the same risks if you ensure that the products you choose are made responsibly.

Here’s how:

Consider Ingredients

First, ensure that the Delta 8 vape product you choose is made from hemp-derived Delta-8-THC and other hemp-derived ingredients. You’ll do this by checking the ingredients list and looking for third-party test results (which should show the product’s cannabinoid profile and potency).

A hemp plant just before harvest, the primary ingredient used to make Delta-8-THC carts.

Also consider where the brand sources their hemp material from. Because hemp is a bioaccumulator (meaning it pulls toxins from the soil), it’s important that it’s grown in high-quality soil. As a general rule of thumb, U.S. grown hemp is superior to hemp grown overseas.

The vape community also speculates that another ingredient commonly found in vape oil—propylene glycol (PG)—may make vaporizers unsafe.

Propylene glycol is widely considered safe as a food additive and is FDA approved for many uses, but is thought to turn into a noxious gas when heated to high temperatures. There's currently very little evidence available to confirm or deny the possible harms of inhaling heated propylene glycol, but many brands have moved away from the use of PG in vape products as a precautionary measure.

Finally, check all other ingredients to ensure that they meet your needs. Some vapes may include artificial flavors and other additives that may be unsafe (or at least undesirable) for some people. The best option may be to find a Delta-8 vape formula that is simply made. It may only contain Delta-8-THC, terpenes, other cannabinoids, and carrier oil.

The Importance of Manufacturing Safety

Next, look more deeply at the brand. The process of making Delta-8-THC is much more involved than just extracting CBD and other cannabinoids. When it’s not done correctly, things can go wrong.

Delta-8 production requires expert cannabinoid extraction technicians and expensive equipment. It’s not something that can be easily done at home or in a small commercial kitchen. Be wary of brands who don’t employ professional technicians or make use of premium extraction techniques, like Supercritical CO2 extraction or similar methods.

Look for a company who:

  • follows the Good Manufacturing Practice regulations set forth by the FDA
  • is transparent about their manufacturing process
  • tests raw material before production
  • offers third-party lab results to prove potency

Cartridge Materials Matter

Formula quality matters a lot, but a great vape formula is only as good as the materials it's packaged in. After all, you’ll be attaching your Delta 8 THC cart to a battery that heats it enough to vaporize the oil. You don’t want any unsafe materials leaching into the oil when your rig gets hot, and you definitely don’t want any leaks or breaks ruining your day.

Before you buy a Delta-8 cart, check for the following:

Unsafe Delta 8 THC Cart Materials

Cheap delta-8 cartridges may be made of various plastics that can off-gas into your product. Some plastics also absorb terpenes and other elements from the hemp oil, which can make your product less effective.

Cheaply made vape carts may also have ill-fitting gaskets that leak or pre-moistened wicks that may have been primed with a chemical like propylene glycol.

The best way to avoid poorly made carts is by verifying that they are made with the materials below:

Approved Delta 8 THC Cart Materials

A high-quality, safe Delta-8-THC cart will be made of premium, heat-resistant materials, like glass, metal (like stainless steel), and ceramic.

Usually, the tank is glass and the casing is made of stainless steel. Many will have steel or ceramic heating elements inside. These glass tanks usually have properly fitted gaskets that don’t leak or allow air to contaminate the hemp oil inside.

Comparing Delta-8-THC Vape Formulas

After ensuring quality, you’ll also want to consider the benefits of different vape formulas. Various ingredients can be added to the Delta-8-THC cart to alter its effects. Most commonly, terpenes are used to recreate different cannabis strain profiles to help offer targeted therapeutic benefits.

There are too many possible variations to cover, but we’ll cover the basics:

Vida Optima Elev8 Delta-8 Carts

Indica

Indica cannabis strains commonly contain terpenes like Myrcene, Beta-Caryophyllene, and Linalool. In general, Indica strains are known to be relaxing and have more sedating effects than other strains.

Many people prefer to use Indica Delta-8-THC vapes at night or to help improve sleep or reduce stress.

Sativa

Alternatively, Sativa strains often contain higher levels of Pinene and Limonene, which are known for being uplifting and energizing. Many people prefer to use Sativa Delta-8-THC products during the day or to enhance creativity and cognitive performance.

Hybrid

Hybrids are exactly what you may think—a unique balance between the two primary strains. Generally speaking, a hybrid strain is a cross-breed between a Sativa and an Indica strain. The terpene profiles taken from hybrid strains usually provide balanced effects that are good for both day and nighttime use.

Many people prefer hybrid strains when they are too sensitive to Sativas but don’t want the sedating experience of an Indica.

Delta 8 Vape Cart Potency

Delta-8-THC vape carts are available in a variety of different potencies, which can seem overwhelming when trying to buy a Delta-8 vape for the first time. In reality, it may not matter all that much.

The potency of a Delta-8 vaporizer doesn’t matter near as much as some other dosing methods, like edibles. That’s because edibles are pre-portioned, which can sometimes make it difficult to control the dose. If the edible potency is too high, it can make for an uncomfortable start for new users.

Vaporizers work differently. They take effect quickly (almost instantly), which means you can start with tiny doses and work your way up until you feel the desired level of effects. That means that the overall potency of your product doesn’t matter as long as you take one small puff at a time.

The potency does matter when considering price, of course. Generally, you’ll find that vaporizers contain around 1 gram of vape oil that has 900 milligrams of Delta-8 or more. That’s because most vape oil is a Delta-8 concentrate that is around 90%+ purity.

If you're just getting started with Delta-8-THC and want some pointers, read "How to Maximize Your Delta-8 Experience."

A vape pen with a 510 threaded battery that's rechargeable and reusable

What Kind of Battery Do I Need for Delta 8 THC Carts?

Delta-8-THC carts are disposable cartridges meant to be used with a reusable battery. That means they are often a cost effective option since you’ll only need to purchase the battery portion once. But which vape battery should you buy?

That depends. Check out the Delta-8-THC cart you choose to find out what type of cartridge it is. Standard vape cartridges (and the majority of those on the market) are threaded to fit a 510 battery.

Find a high-quality 510 battery (like this one) that has variable temperature control and an on-off switch. Vape batteries are typically affordable, and if you buy a good one it’ll last a while.

Are Delta 8 THC Carts Legal to Buy?

Many people are intrigued by Delta-8-THC' mild psychoactive effects, but are equally skeptical of its legality in areas that aren't exactly cannabis-friendly. Thankfully, Delta-8-THC is currently legal by federal law, so it's much more accessible than Delta-9, especially in many places where high-THC cannabis is still illegal.

In short, yes, Delta-8-THC Carts are legal in most areas, but some states still have laws that prohibit tetrahydrocannabinols even from hemp. For a full list of all 50 states and their hemp laws, read "Where is Delta-8-THC Legal?"

Where to Buy Delta-8-THC Carts

There are many Delta-8-THC distributors that sell D8 carts online, but the quality varies greatly. Before going with any online distributor, ensure that they meet the quality checks above (regarding ingredients and materials).

If you're looking for premium quality Delta-8, you can check out our Delta-8-THC carts and the rest of our Delta-8-THC collection. All of our products are 100% Farm Bill compliant and made with high-quality, U.S. grown hemp material, and you can read more about our GMP compliant manufacturing process here.




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